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Two GA Cheerleaders named All-Americans

Posted October 12, 2012

Getting the crowd fired up to cheer for their team is the main goal of the small group of high school girls that can be seen on football game day during the fall. This week, GA is “cheering” two of its own for earning cheerleading accolades.

Jessica Towne ’13 and Sarah Gu ’16 were named All-American by the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) and the Patriots couldn’t be more proud.

“My initial reaction was shock, but then I realized that all of my hard work from the last four years was starting to pay off and I was just all around excited,” said Towne. “Becoming an All-American for cheerleading isn't something most people realize is even possible. Just like baseball, basketball, or football, being named an All-American is a huge honor, and it is really exciting to think that all of the hours put into cheer at Germantown Academy is being recognized.”

“The UCA coach that helped us for three days said my name on making it on to All-American and I was just speechless!” said Gu. “While she was giving me my medal, I just could not stop smiling and it was truly a happy day for me!”

During preseason, GA hosts a representative from the UCA who teaches GA’s cheerleaders different cheers, dances and stunts that they perform at the annual pep rally. The representatives help GA’s cheerleaders with their strength, jumps and, ultimately, show them how to be a safe and proactive cheerleader.

“At the end of the week, they evaluate everyone on a cheer, jumps, and a dance, then they selected those that encompassed the whole package of cheerleading to give the All-American title,” said Towne, who has been cheerleading since seventh grade. “This is the first time since I've been here that anyone has been selected.”

“It means a lot to me,” added Gu, who is in her second year of cheerleading and first year of cheerleading at GA. “And it tells me that my hard work has paid off. I was struggling with the dance and as I looked at the other girls who already got it, I just got a motivation to work harder and get it right. It also tells me that I can be a cheerleader even when other people don’t think so. I have always wanted to be one, but I didn't tryout until I was in eighth grade. I made it and I loved it ever since.”

In addition to their All-American honors, both Towne and Gu have been invited to participate in the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia. Towne was also invited to the UCA Showcase in London from Dec. 26-Jan. 2. While in London, she will be taken on tours of the city before learning new choreography to perform at the New Year’s Day parade.

Don’t miss these girls in action as the Patriots move into Inter-Ac play at home on Saturday, October 20 against Haverford.

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